steuer



G. H. STEUER.

AUTOMAHC CLOSET VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26. 1915.

:11 ,322,6}5 Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

G. H, STEUER.

AUTOWATZC CLOSET VALVE.

APPLICATION FELED NOV 26, I915.

Patentefi Nov. 25, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2;

G. H. STEUER.

AUTOMATIC CLOSET VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV" 26.. 1915.

1,322,@45 Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3T G. H, STEUER.

AUTOMATIC CLOSET VALVE.

APPLICATION FlLED NOV 26,1915- 1,3gg,@@5, Ezfienhwl NOV. 25, MN}.

4 $HEETSSHEET 4,

ml: vE-m a ay 4% insects.

To on whom it may concern:

-Ee it known that I, GUSTAV F. Srnrmn, a. citizen of the United States, and a resident oi the city of Chicago, in the county of Cool: and State of Illinois, have invented certain.

new, and useful Improvements in Automatic Closet-Valves; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and eitact des'eription or the same, referenceheing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form. a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improved type of automatic flushing valve particularly adapted for use with closets, though of course suitable for use in any other manner to which such type of valve is adapted. T he valve embracing. the principles of my in vention is constructed to operate automatically after a person has pressed inwardly on e small plunger to set the mechanisms of the valve in operation, the pressure of the Water supply line in which said valve is connected serving to operate the mechanisms to permit a predetermined quantity of Water to flow through the valve, the valve thereai ter returning automatically to normal or closed position, even though the plunger is still held depressed.

It is an object therefore of this invention to construct an. improved type of closet flushing velve adapted to operate automaticullv lo, utilization of the pressure of the fluid supply line, the mechanisms being released for operation by momenta pressure on a smell plunger provided for the purpose, and thereafter operating automatically to pc unit a flow of fluid to take place through the valve for a. period o1": time dependent upon the adjustment of a con trolling means provided for the purpose,

It is an object therefore of this invention to' provide a flushing valve adapted When released for movement by momentary actuaiion of a releasing elem nt, to operate to open position under pressure of the fluid supply and remain open :1. predetermined time. then valve to admit a relatively large flow or returning automatically to closed position.

It is also an obgect of this invention to provide a flushing valve .WllEI'filIl a series of valves are provided opening in successive order to relieve pressure on one side of relatively large piston Which, by its movement, due to the change in pressure on the different sides thereof, moves to open a main {1 Specification or .eetters s'rnunzs, on unrest-2o, inninoi j wanna-n l ov, 253, 33 19,

Application filed Eovexnher 1915 ii-criel rm. 33,528.

Water therethrough, and with e ray-pass pas sage serving according to adjustment of the controllii'ipmeens for said Toy-pass,to again restore equal pressures on each side of said piston to cause the same to move with its associated elements and main valve to initial position.

it is also an object or". this invention to construct a flushing valve wherein a main valve closure is provided. forming a part of a piston, and with a series or auxiliary valves mounted on said main valve and piston adapted to open in successive order to relieve the pressure on one side of said pis ton whereby the same is actuatea'l by the iluid pressure of the fluid supply to move and open said main valve, the some remaining open for a period of time determined by mechanism controll the how f fluid to piston Wherei' the pressures are 7 again equulificd, permitting said piston and as mated ain valve to move to initial position to shut oil the tioiv.

It is furthermore an object 6 n invention to construct a flushing vsle wherein a main valve forms a part oi: a piston which, When the parts are in normal or shut off position, is at rest with the iluid under the pressure of the supply line disposed on each side thereof, and provided with auxiliary valves adaptm to he opened to permit release of the fluid on one side of aid piston, causing the piston to move due 0 the pressure on the opposite surface hereof to thereby open the main valve, said auxiliary valves closing after pening of the main valve and the main valve remainiug open until. pressures are again restored on the opposite T ri'aces oi the pis ton through a ivy-pass pussuge provided for the purpose.

It is furthermore important object or" this invention to construct a flushing valve ads ed to he released for automatic operation oy momentarv iressure upon an actuating plunger which serves to open auxiliary in successive order mounted in a. main valve which operated by a piston, said auxiliary valves serving;

open until equalized prcssures'are again restored on the opposite sides of said pisten through a bypass passage provided tor the purpose communicating with the chembers on opposite sides of said piston.

It is finally an object of this invention to construct an improved type of flushing valve operating automatically after manual re lease of auxiliary valves forming a part thereof, to permit a certain predetermined quantity. of flow to take place and thereafter closing automatically ,to shut 0E the flow and with the parts returned to normal position ready for another release and actua ing movement.

lhe invention (in c preferred form) "is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings;

Figure l is a side elevation of a closet seat illustrating one form of adaptation of a device embodying the principles of In i ivention thereto.

Fig. 2 is a; front elevation of the valve.

Fig. 3 is e central section theretli'rougli on line 3-3of Fig. 2, with parts shown in elevation.

Fig. 4 isa top lan view of the'velve.

Fig. 5 is an en erged sectional view simi lar to-Fi illustrating the release moveinent of t is auxiliary valves preliminary to opening o'ifitlie main valve. 30, Fig. case view-similar to Fig. 5, but showing the parts iuopei position to permit a flow to telie place through the valve.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan. View of the retain-- ing spider for the upper auxiliary valve in i5 the'c'levicel Fig. 8 is 9. detail section taken on line 8-8 v of Fig. 7. I

Fig. 9 is a. central sectimel view of the slidable ring valve member. Fig. 10 is a section taken. on lizie 10--10 ofF1g.9.'

Fig. ll'is a top plain view oi one of the tilting disks for actuating the auxiliary 'valves. 4e Fig. 12 is a. detail section taken on. line 12.'12'0f Fig. 3, with parts omitted end parts shown in elevation.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary top plan View 01% the contact releasing M89315 the end of .50 the actuating plunger oi the (levies.-

ii is a. central sectional vieiv'thrciigli e modified type oic' valve. A

Fig. 1515.- efrom pleus iew oi the screen iiiclosiug-oiie end of tee inlet lay-pass of t 1:: valve. As show-ii iii the drawings? 'lllie velve consists of a. main casing Tl, foririecl with a boss 2, thereon, in which an inlet pipe'i'l, is threaded, and at its lower so eml prov'iiied-Witli a. boss l, through which 2m outlet pipe 5. is conneeteciby means of e.

writer 6. A liorisoiztel partition *4", is formed. within the: casing, (livieliug the same into,

eniupper-end lower compartment, the upper '65 cempeiztscwt: being is eemmuniceticu with.

adapted to close the central aperture through i the inlet pipe 3, and the lower compartment being in communication Wit the outlet pipe 5. A relatively large co or cup is" tlireetled on the upper end. of the .g 3., to close the seine, and e pecking recessed into said cap to bear upon e is up; per end of said casing to seal the same. Sliclebiy mounted within the upper chembe)? of the casing; 1, is a. piston 10, which lies formed integrally therewith e imllc o oyliir; 75

press the inner mur iii of said puck away portion of seq sleeve or ising'lf o tending riownwercliy through seitl annular 89 valve seat 14. and partition 7g"Wl16I! the" partsere 1'11. closed position, as shown Figs. 3 and 5. 'lluee'clcl into the upper e: i of seicl'pistoi'z. 10, is e spicier 1.6., wliieliser to re ain e pecking ring '17, positioned around an aperture extending ceii through seiri piston said. communio with the interior of icl cylindri 11. Seated upon said pecking ring 12?,

said piston, is e hollow nuisliroom type 01 valve 18, provided with small'epertures'lil,

through the stem thereof communicating with the hollow interior of seicl valve. Si.i(l-- ably secured Within the lower hollow stem of said mushroom valve is centrally sperturecl stem :20. of e clisl: 21, pro iiclecl with apertures tlieri-ztlirougii. and. e coilcrl compression 5 ring 23, is-seeted on the upper surface of said disk and.- bears at its upper end against seirl p'ston to return said disli- 21 to normal [@Slijlfllfl. f I Fitted, she... 1y Within the lioiloiv llilld rior of said stem: .20., is the stem 2%, of e smell 'iusiroozn.mire :25 ecle itcd. toseet upon it packing ring 26, recessed int i' the upper coil of i5. .musliro iii valve 18; toelose communication throu'g, i the upper cncl of said inuslirooin'velve 18.,ei1cl the interior thereof. Disposed directly beneath the, disk 2L. is another sii'nilerly eperiured disk 27, provided with it relatively mg stem 28, extending downwardly througliieiul yonel ililB lower end of'soicl sl-eeve or ring valve element An actuating plunger to tin-11st or tilt the stem 28, to one side to start the valve in operation is provided, and: consists of e stem 29, having secured on its inner end a. downwardly ciegiemliug casing 3 1 slidebly mountcd'iil the upper curl eif isolie head 3%, so that said spring series conical valve 4-2, and pressed thereagan I which is a rectangular coiled "within said casing 1 co sion spring 352 disposed an disposed pin Within said :tifi normally to impel said pi into its limit of r overcoat ti inner end of said stem 29. to; l has formed on its other or outer end enlarged head 34-, with the Word illSll lettered thereon, said head being movable in Wardly into an inclosing cylindrical. cap 35, held attached to said main casing l, by

a union 36. Also held in position i v said union 86, and threaded into said ca an inner cup element 3?, a periphei on which is disposed between the in. cap 35, and a packing ring 38, 1;. our the aperture in said casing 1-, thro said cup element extends The stem 23, es tends through a central aperture ii tl l ing in a circular groove ided in the and i poses, namely, to comp? packing material around. I also to resift inward. movement oi i. ger head as, and stem 29, and to return same tonornial when the saine is Formed in the Walls of the casing 7., in the upper compartment is a bypass passage 4.1 the upper end thereof opening into the chamber above the piston 10, and iii lower end thereoi connininieating thr a conical aperture iv chamber said piston 50. The through said by-pass t conical vc closure Linen. boss 43, tanned on the side r the outer end of the stem of said sure being squared. indicated. by the erence numeral ll, LG rece' suitable tool engaged thereon, to thre; l said valve sure inwardly or outwardly to vary the through the conical aper an.

area of opening D ture at the lower end of said 'c A washer 1.5, surrounds the stem o.

and around the stem of the valve is a F171;; of paclong material a6. held COITZPTK therein by a gland l'Z', threaded interi my into the boss 43. A rubber plug is cured in the outer end of can 49 v; closes the adjusting mechanisms for said conical valve and which is threaded on the exterior of the boss 43, ali'ording a stop for the cover 50, of the closet seat of a closet bowl 51, with enrich the valve ein hmlying the principles of my invention is connected.

A screen 52, mounted over the entrance to said conical aperture at the lower sediment or through theinlet u wherein the operation n is substantially identical that a slightly difi'erent mechanism to start the valve in op tion is provided. As shown in the modeled or1n,'in place of the stem 28, oi. dials 2'2, of the prior construction, T dish provided with a hollowstem M. W H193 4.1g; 55, and a slidable plunger '56, 1imitits downward movement under the imspring a pin 52'', fixed in the ct rough an elongated a stem 58, mounted in the manner with reference to said stem 29, of but provided wlth describ-ec. the prior construction, an actuating; said stem 58,

and adapted the when said stem is thrust inwardly by handle. The construction and operamodified form of device is otherenti al with that ofthe previous conion described.

operation is as follows: K e valve in normal or closed position is shown in Fig. 3, that is, with the main valve closure resting, upon its seat 14, and the aaxiliary valves 18 and 25, no; kin. With the parts in this position the fluid entering the casing 1,'through the in let pipe fills the compartment above a, narl'hion 7, below and above the piston 1e fluid gaining access to the chamber e the piston through-the by-pass ll. In to actuate the valve to flush the closet, head is thrust inwardly, thrusting the stem. to one side, as clearly shown'in 5, and tiltingthe 2?, and by such ting movement elethe disk 21, resting thereon. in 1a; elevating first transmit" small auxiliary valve 25, from its seat to permit a flow of fluid through the interior oi the mushroom valve bearing; against the plunger ed to the stem 24:, of the the regulating.

is coiled compression to thrust the same to one.

L is; i in place of the stem handle 59, the inner end of.

also in closed The movement 01" said disk 21,:

elevating the same i 2.8, and outwardly through the passages 19,

provided therein, and a continuous upward movement of said disk 21., next elevates the zrnsurooin valve 18, so that egress of the "d in the compartment above the piston nrovided through both of the opem controlled by the respective valves 18 :l Due to the fact that thearee of. opening of the respective openingsconand consequently, due to the pressure he neath the same, the piston moves upwardly in the casing, carrying the main valve closure 12, therewith. or sleeve element 15, also moves upwardly, and a strong flow of fluid takes place through the cutaway portion of said element 15, and downwardly through the lower chamber of the casing 1, and into the dis charge pipe 5.

As the piston 10, moves upwardly, the stem" 28, is elevated above the plunger 31, which serves to tilt the same to one side, and as a consequence, under the stress of: the compression spring 23, the disks 21 and 27, are brought to normal position and with a consequent closure of the respective auxiliary valves 18 and 25,by gravity. This,

however, in no way interferes with the flow of waterthrough the device, inasmuch as the main valve closure 12, is elevated away operation of the valve.

from its seat.

When the How has talien place for a suflicient length of time to lower the level of the fluid in the compartment above the partition' 7, so that the pressure on the opposite surfaces of the piston 10, tends to become equalized, said piston, with its associated.

elements, moves downwardly by: gravity at a rate determined by the quantity of fluid flowing past the regulating valve 42, and upwardly through the by-pass 41, into the chamber above the piston. Inthe event that during the operation of the valve, the plunger head 34, has been maintained depressed, which is not essential of course for operation of thevalve, the stem 28, descends upon the plunger 31, thrusting the same downwardly against the compression of its spring 32, so that the closing operation-of the'valve is in no way hinderedor interfered with. Upon release of the plunger head 34', of course the plunger springs outwardly under the impulse of its spring 40, and to one side of the stem 28, whereupon the. small plunger 31,.is thrust upwardly by its spring 32, into a position to again contact and tilt the stem 28, upon another Said small rectangular plunger. 31, is rotatable inits casing to present any one of its flat surfaces for contact with the stem 28, so that said plunger may be rotated around to compensate for wear.

The period of time the valve remains in open position is determined by the time required for the pressure to become equalized on each side of the piston 10, and this is governed by'the quantity of fluid allowed to flow through the by-pass 41, which is in turn controlled by the adjustment of the valve 42, therefor. lVhen a closing of the valve member 10-11 takes place the flow is gradually cut oil by the sleeve 12, sliding downwardly overthe tapered valve seat 14:,

Of course the ring tneans for returning said mechanis neae eas By adjustment of said. sleeve 12, the quantity of Water allowed to flow into the bowl -for refilling the same is determined, and may. vary for different bowls-hence the desirability of making said sleeve adjustable.

I am aware that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, vand I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I clam as my invention;

1. In a device of the class described, a

.main valve, a piston associated therewith,

auxiliary valves mounted in said piston, a

by pass afi'ording communication between the chambers above and below said piston,

mechanism lor *opening said auxiliary valves, said mechanism comprising spring controlled means permitting said auxiliary valves to close regardless of the release of the opening mechanism.

2. A flushing valve comprising a havingaplurality of chambers th a main valve, a piston inovaloly connected thereto, a plurality of auxiliary valves in said piston, mechanism carried main valve for opening said valv nal thereby permitting the anriiliai y valves in: close by gravity regardless of the release hf the opening mechanism. I j 3. In a device of he class descrihed, a basing having chambers therein, a main (valve, a piston movable therewith, a plu rality oi" relatively adjustable auxiliary valves, an oscillating and reciprocating disk mechanism movable with said main valve for unseating said valves and means for re turning the disl; mechanism to normal per-- iuitting said relatively adjustable valves to automatically close.

A flush valve comprising a casing, a valve seat therein, a main valve adapted to seat thereon, a piston in said casingdivict ingthe easing into a plurality of chambers above said valve seat, a plurality of valves movable ith. said piston, a disk connected withsaid valves adapted to open the same, a disk bearing against the first named disk adapted to operate the same to open the valves and mechanism for operating the disks.

5. In a device of the class described," a casing, a valve seat therein, a main -valve adapted to seat thereon, a piston in the easing dividing the same into a plurality of.

chambers, a passage connecting the chant bers on each side of the piston, a plurality a spring returning said disks to normal peraseaeas valve foriopening the auxiliary valves, a vertical spring controlled plunger adapted to operate said mechanism, and means for actuating said plunger.

7. In a flush valve, a casing, a valve seat, a valve therein, a piston movable with the valve, auxiliary valves movable with the piston and valve and movable independently thereof, mechanism movable with and independently of the piston and valve for opening said auxiliary valves, a manually operated stein in said casing, and a spring controlled plungerunounted at right angles to said stem on the inner end thereof and adapted to be operated by said stem to actuate said mechanism, said plunger pep mitting the mechanism to return to normal independently of the release of the stem 8, In a flush valve a caslng, a valve therein, a piston connected to move with said valve, a plurality of auxiliary valves movable with and also independently of the piston and valve, a plurality of disks connected to unseat said auxiliary valves, means for returning the disks to normal, a stem provided with a head thereon, a housing secured on said stem, a plunger-in the housing adapted to operate the disks when the stem is actuated, and means in the housing permitting the plunger to move independ" ently of the stem to allow the disks and auxiliary valves to return to normal inde-.,

pendently of the release of the stem.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GUSTAV STEUER.

Witnesses CHAizLns W. HILLS, Jn, EARL M. HARDINE; 

